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Off Season Corn Feeders
#8503211
01/13/22 11:10 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,601
sig226fan (Rguns.com)
OP
duck & cover
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OP
duck & cover
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,601 |
As the season winds down, many are shifting to off season feeding, or stopping feeding altogether.
As much as we hunt now, and feed July through January... don't know that we can afford to feed at the rates year around. Almost as much concerning fuel costs as corn!
So...... has anyone ever skipped days?
Some of our timers will allow daily schedules, such as T/Th/S feed mornings, Wed/Friday/Sunday feed evenings, etc.
I'd like to feed more, especially in Feb thru April out west... just thinking out loud.
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8503226
01/13/22 11:32 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9,942
Old Rabbit
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9,942 |
We still have antlerless permits and the next time I hunt, I will go to morning feedings only. It would be nice to be able to feed just mid week at a couple of my setups. We are in Northeast Texas and will be keeping 1 or 2 feeders going till the deer start to leave it piled up, then let them run empty till July.
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8503276
01/14/22 12:38 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
I would not skip days, just feed only once per day extra long or twice per day but cut back to smaller amount. WAG, I would also feed after dark since you are wanting to concentrate on bucks mainly. They are going to be nocturnal anyway so why not feed them and get them used to coming to the feeder. Early summer start moving the times closer to dark or daylight to prepare for hunting season.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8503341
01/14/22 02:13 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,712
Txduckman
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,712 |
We get hardly any feeder activity April to August so most of our feeders are not running then. We do keep 3 for hogs and we might see a deer or two on those cams once a week. To get a buck on camera eating corn those months is like winning the lottery for us.
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8503362
01/14/22 02:34 AM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 446
Brother Phil
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 446 |
The first question to ask yourself is why do you feed? It is to attract deer, or supplement their diet? I use corn feeders to attract deer while I am hunting. I am on two leases. In Mills County, I could start feeding several days before opener, and they would find it. On the NE TX lease, there is not as many deer, and I start feeding about a month before the season. I don't care to spend money on corn all year, when I am not hunting. I have read some very detailed articles on managing whitetail deer. The articles I read said it can have a negative effect, because it is introducing more food than the natural habitat can support. There are most likely other articles with an opposing view. Good luck what ever choice you make.
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8503497
01/14/22 12:43 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,794
ILUVBIGBUCKS
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,794 |
As the season winds down, many are shifting to off season feeding, or stopping feeding altogether.
As much as we hunt now, and feed July through January... don't know that we can afford to feed at the rates year around. Almost as much concerning fuel costs as corn!
So...... has anyone ever skipped days?
Some of our timers will allow daily schedules, such as T/Th/S feed mornings, Wed/Friday/Sunday feed evenings, etc.
I'd like to feed more, especially in Feb thru April out west... just thinking out loud.
I usually will not skip days Simply turn them down to a much lower feeding amount. I was feeding 16-18 seconds during the season and have turned it down to 12. Next trip back it will get turned down to 6 or 8 and then in late February it will go down to just 4 or 5 and only be feeding 150-200 lbs/month.
High fence, low fence, no fence, it really doesn't matter as long as you're hunting!
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8503649
01/14/22 03:41 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,612
QuitShootinYoungBucks
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,612 |
We're so dry in Mills county, there is NOTHING for them to eat. I have a ton of deer and many new bucks hammering my corn feeder as everybody around me quit feeding. I hate to lay out the $ but without the ability to take out a bunch of mouths I have no idea when to stop.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: ILUVBIGBUCKS]
#8503662
01/14/22 03:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,416
TLew
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,416 |
As the season winds down, many are shifting to off season feeding, or stopping feeding altogether.
As much as we hunt now, and feed July through January... don't know that we can afford to feed at the rates year around. Almost as much concerning fuel costs as corn!
So...... has anyone ever skipped days?
Some of our timers will allow daily schedules, such as T/Th/S feed mornings, Wed/Friday/Sunday feed evenings, etc.
I'd like to feed more, especially in Feb thru April out west... just thinking out loud.
I usually will not skip days Simply turn them down to a much lower feeding amount. I was feeding 16-18 seconds during the season and have turned it down to 12. Next trip back it will get turned down to 6 or 8 and then in late February it will go down to just 4 or 5 and only be feeding 150-200 lbs/month. This is a prime example of how you can't talk about specific number of seconds to run a feeder. During season we run 6 seconds each day which equates to about 250-300lb a month and would sometimes result in spoilage. I know it's a little off topic but it's a good example. This time of year I cut down corn feeding and focus on protein. We still have good browse, so 600lb of protein will last 2-3 months. Also, the bucks are the only ones that go for the protein so there is good/bad to that -- if you're targeting bucks it's effective and efficient. If you want to provide nutrition to does as well then you'll miss it a lot in a penned setup with higher feed tubes
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8503979
01/14/22 09:52 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 903
Erich
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 903 |
we try to keep the protein full but will pull back on the corn some. especially in the hot months it seems like the quail eat more of the corn than anything else.
Outdoorsman
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8508505
01/20/22 02:13 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,963
jdickey
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,963 |
Over the years, we see deer develop their feeding patterns, so long as we do not change the pattern of feeding in any way, we can almost set your watch by their daily routines. For 12 years we hunted Comanche County and fed year -round, once in the mornings and evenings @ 0700 and 1600. These times were fixed year-round and never adjusted for Daylight Saving Times.
Three years ago, the Comanche lease was sold, so we moved down the road to Mills County and continued with the same feeding pattern. Kept the same feeding times and feeding year-round. The deer developed the same patterns that we saw in Comanche, to the point that they come in and stand and wait until the feeder goes off!
We feed a corn/soybean blend - STAMPEDE .In addition, feeding protein in spring and early fall. As a result, we are holding large herds 12-18 deer at all 5 of our feeders, but with a high doe concentration, as well as a good sustaining buck population with a good age variation.
Last edited by jdickey; 01/20/22 02:14 AM.
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8508513
01/20/22 02:26 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,043
Wilhunt
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,043 |
Feed year round just cut back on the time the feeder runs. Going to try cottonseed this year, may change the amount of corn we are feeding.
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8508533
01/20/22 02:53 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 430
LakeForkLodge
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 430 |
Feeding or baiting? Two different things. Feeding is a food source that, in the right amount and quantity can improve their survival and health. Baiting is a food source that is preferred and not normally available in quantities in their habitat.
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8508537
01/20/22 02:57 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,138
Creekrunner
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,138 |
Lemme guess...you come here to teach.
...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8508564
01/20/22 03:36 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,471
4Weight
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,471 |
Yeah LFL may need to mellow a bit. Over analysis overload.
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8508693
01/20/22 01:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 11,248
Longhunter
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 11,248 |
Put you in a couple of free choice ton feeders and have it delivered. Moderators make plenty cash...
Longhunter >>>-------> Make It Count!!!<><
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8508697
01/20/22 01:23 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,209
Texas Dan
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,209 |
Even with our relatively mild winters, there's little question supplemental feeding helps keep pregnant does in better health and bucks during their early period of antler development when it's needed most. As other's have commented, deer will let you know when levels of natural browse, which is always their preference, have reached the point where supplemental feeding should be adjusted or even no longer necessary.
IMHO, this sounds like something where game cameras would be useful by allowing you to track how the deer react to whatever changes you decide to make. Definitely nothing wrong with thinking outside the box, especially when it's tied to cost vs benefit.
Depending on your setup, I would be interested to know if skipping days has any impact on how often hogs hit your feeders.
Last edited by Texas Dan; 01/20/22 01:37 PM.
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8508729
01/20/22 02:01 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,217
shooterwalter
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,217 |
How will they hunt if you have gravity feeders available 24-7?
www.poetryshootingclub.comGun Dog Training, Flighty Quail Guided/Unguided Quail Hunting Group Events/Parties 700 Yard Range CLOSE TO DALLAS Take a youth shooting 214-728-2755 By appointment always and you shoot in private.
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8508739
01/20/22 02:08 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,026
Hudbone
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,026 |
At the end of the season, we fill up all the corn feeders and then set them to feed at 9 or 10 PM on a reduced time. We do have free choice protein available and consider the corn as an additional attractant. We feel them up again in Labor day.
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: shooterwalter]
#8508795
01/20/22 03:24 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
How will they hunt if you have gravity feeders available 24-7? The same as they do if you don't in some cases. Deer feed when they are hungry not when you want them to even with corn feeders. Ranches I hunt or managed fed protein 24/7/365. In South Texas free choice protein is a magnet for bucks in October when they are bulking up for the rut. Had one ranch think that the deer were nocturnal due to free choice protein on their LF ranch. They decided to quit protein late Oct(which I totally disagreed with). By Thanksgiving they were not seeing nearly as many deer as before. They then put protein back in the feeders immediately after Thanksgiving right before the rut. Deer were everywhere again. Cooler temps, rut and feed in all the feeders made a huge difference. That was 20 yrs ago and they still feed year round.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8509226
01/20/22 11:37 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,113
Flashprism
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,113 |
Run 5 feeders with corn and some milo from September 1st to end of season. 2 large capacity feeders are filled with 90% corn with milo. Output lowered and run till empty. about 3 months With draught this year threw the 2nd half. Want to afford some nutrition to any wildlife that may have a need particularly my resident deer.
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8510652
01/22/22 04:48 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,118
reeder05
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,118 |
During the season, I run my corn feeder 5 seconds in the morning and 5 seconds in the evening.
I put 5 bags of corn in it (400 lb feeder) last weekend, and dropped to 2 seconds in the morning, 3 seconds in the evening. I'll leave it like that until I go back for turkey season. Then I'll adjust to feed once in the evening for 3 seconds. Until early August.
Wife has always wanted some Hard 8
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8510973
01/23/22 01:53 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 138
wolfehunter
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 138 |
We stop corn and feed protein February thru end of August but protein feeder in middle of property.Not at regular feed locations
Wayne Wolfe Nevada Tx. 75173
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8523173
02/04/22 10:38 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,601
sig226fan (Rguns.com)
OP
duck & cover
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OP
duck & cover
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,601 |
Thank you all for your input.
As for feeder times, as noted, it varies. Some of our last remaining older feeders, take 10 seconds plus to feed much at all. 10 secs on the Alamo modern feeders, will cost you a fortune in corn... , 1-2 seconds is plenty;
I agree the deer eat when they are hungry.... except when it's as dry as it is in west texas... we have does waiting at the feeders when we get there an hour plus before first light...
I'm going to try and keep a few running, mainly to test and see what happens, I like the idea of a couple of free choice feeders centrally located
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8538226
02/22/22 06:56 PM
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Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 234
TXHunter0619
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 234 |
Appreciate all the thoughts offered on this post. Really interesting topic of discussion.
tough times don't last, tough people do
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Re: Off Season Corn Feeders
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#8538698
02/23/22 11:43 AM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,255
Dave Davidson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,255 |
This is my first year to feed protein. It’s in a powder form at 3 different locations. The only corn feeder that I keep filled all year is about 150 yards from the kitchen windows.
Without a sense of urgency, nothing ever happens.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley, Rancher Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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